China visit: Imran Khan objects to PM’s entourage

PTI chief says Sharif family members going on foreign tours

ISLAMABAD: Leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Saturday censured members of the PML-N-led government for undertaking official foreign tours in which members of the Sharif family go with the prime minister.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is on an official visit to China and his younger brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, is accompanying him, the PTI chairman pointed out with a question, “Pervaiz Khattak is also a chief minister, why is he not invited for foreign visits?”

The nation knows the ulterior motives of PM Nawaz Shairf’s visit to China, Imran said without elaborating. The ruling elite, according to him, is busy in building its business empires. “Nawaz Sharif is corrupt,” Imran said.

Addressing the sit-in at D-Chowk of the Constitution Avenue, Imran felicitated his supporters for completion of 87th day and reiterated his commitment of not ending the struggle till resignation of the prime minister.

The PTI had launched its struggle against the government in the wake of allegations of rigging in 2013 general elections. Imran said that the PTI had resorted to this last option, of protest and sit-in, after justice was denied and added, “Criticism over our sit-in implies our success.”

The PTI chairman again alleged that the ruling PML-N and the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party [PPP] had struck a deal to support each other under the guise of democracy. “If there is real democracy in Pakistan then what is the reason that rulers do not declare their assets?” he questioned.

Imran said that there were different laws in practice in the country for the rich and the poor. “Pakistani laws cannot bring the tax evaders to justice,” he lamented while pointing out that both Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari were amongst the richest personss of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2014.